Definition
Claisen condensation is defined as a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction in which the nucleophile is an ester enolate and the electrophile is an ester.
Explanation
The carbon bonds form between two esters or one ester with another carbonyl compound while there is a strong base which when combined creates a reaction. The mechanism by which this reaction is carried out consists of four stages:
- Deprotonation of the alpha position for an ester enolate.
- The enolate is now a good nucleophile and attacks an ester.
- The intermediate stabilizes by reforming a carbonyl group, i.e. removing an alkoxide ion.
- The alpha position is again deprotonated to form a double, stable enolate.
